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THE COMIC SHOP VS VANCOUVERFriday, 20. August 2010 by Elfsar
Hey everyone, its been awhile. I have been a pretty busy guy and have not had much time to post. Between posts I have built a new art studio in North Vancouver, started inventory counts for the upcoming ELFSAR 2.0 project as it were (more on that later) oh and I went to Mexico to host a destination wedding with my family and close friends. Yes it is official the founding members of ELFSAR the Big Elf (me) and Sar (my wife) are now married. While I have been away, there is more news on the comic front. This was just forwarded to me today: The Comic Shop vs Vancouver One of the last great shops in Vancouver is being forced to move or shut down. For the same reasons as all who closed down before it, the dreaded rent increases. But it seems that the Comic Shop has a bit more fight left and has chosen to downsize and move to a new location 3518 W. 4th Ave (near Dunbar) only a few blocks away from its original location where it has been serving the area for over 40 years. I understand first hand how this can be a very stressful time for them so please show them some support. How? Go visit them for their moving sale for the next 10 days. info on the move and sale p.s. in the The Comic Shop vs Vancouver responses, it is nice to see the love for Elfsar continues even after we shutdown the Yaletown location ZEROES 2 HEROES INTERVIEW WITH ETHAN PEACOCKWednesday, 16. June 2010 by Elfsar
The Industry According to Ethan Peacock
We are on the cusp of a new era. The comic industry is changing rapidly. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores are starting to decline as digital distribution is on the rise. Comic franchises are more popular than ever, thanks to Hollywood’s staunch attachment to the comic book summer blockbuster. The industry, needless to say, is at a crossroads.
Enter Ethan Peacock, proprietor of beloved Yaletown comic shop Elfsar – which recently closed its doors after seven years of business. Peacock, more than most, has a sense of the changes taking place. We sat down with Ethan to discuss the state of the industry and where he thinks it’s headed
Introduction Z2H - Let’s wind the clock back seven years. What were you doing at that time that prompted you to dive into retail? Ethan Peacock – Exactly seven years ago I was opening Elfsar Collection ltd. taking what many thought to be a big risk with a bizarre concept. We were trying something new by mixing a pop culture shop with an art gallery that featured comic book work, photography, drawings, sculptures and paintings from artists around the world. State of the Industry
 Z2H – How would you say the industry has changed in that short period of time? Ethan Peacock – We have seen the steady increase in public awareness due to tent-pole comic book related movies. We have seen comics help other industries flourish. We have seen comic publishers grow, prosper and disappear. We have had the privilege of witnessing the growth of the graphic novel boom. We have bared witness to the unfortunate downsize of the direct market. We have seen major changes in the structure of the leading comic book companies. We have seen comic companies purchased by larger companies. We have seen large collections discovered. We have seen all new records broken in the purchase price of rare comic books. We have seen readership drop and escalate. We have seen various mediums draw enormous influence from comics. We have seen the rise in popularity of different social medias. We have seen the rise in downloads and torrents for comics. We have seen attempts and failures of making comics completely digital.
We are now on the cusp of what could be called a “digital age”. All in all, there have been a lot of different changes. However, what still remains true is that comics are still the building blocks to bigger and better things.
Z2H - With the relative success of comic-based films over the last decade, have you witnessed a noticeable surge in interest from new customers?
Ethan Peacock - Yes like any industry, there are large surges of interest due to consumers who are motivated by the wave of pop-culture. What’s hot and what’s not. Our job was to translate these waves into repeat customers by introducing them to the very reasons we love this medium. In many cases it worked, in some it didn’t but overall it provided reasons for people to come seek us out. What was even more fascinating was seeing the books that people reacted to even though it did not have a connection to a TV show, film or video game.
Thoughts on the Comic Shop Z2H – How important is/was it for you to be an ambassador for the medium? Would ambassador be an apt title? Ethan Peacock – Elfsar wanted to be different than the stereotypical basement comic book shop. Elfsar was a mix between a pop culture comic store and an art gallery from the beginning. Even after the gallery closed two years later – giving into the rising demand for the pop culture side of things – most of the store maintained that gallery feel. As far as an ambassador to the medium goes, comic book retailers share a single responsibility to the medium. Our job is to expose as many customers as possible to the options and types of comics that challenge, entertain or expand ones reading experience. We are the trusted and the informed that have a unique sense of the industry and provide a specialized service to the relationship between the product and the consumer. This, of course, will differ from shop to shop and each store will have its own vibe. They are, of course, as different as the patrons who run them. At Elfsar everyone who walked in our door was greeted and treated like a friend. Yes we operated as a business but we did take the time to know your name what books you liked and books you didn’t. This was important, not only from a sales perspective but from a community building one. Talking about comics was encouraged at our shop.
Am I an Ambassador to the medium? No… That would be too formal. I’d say I am a friend.
Z2H – What is the future of print comics?
Ethan Peacock – People have been predicting the end of print or the doom and gloom of the comic industry for a while now. Let’s get something straight, comics will always be printed. The underground independent scene will always exist. Much like most pulp magazines today are printed to order, comics will follow suit (it is pretty much there already). However, the looming possibility that if orders stop then so will the North American floppy format of printed comics means it is subject to a supply and demand issue. But I don’t foresee orders ever stopping completely and so I don’t see printed comics disappearing. As of now most comics are written, designed and created for the intention of the graphic novel medium. The “I’ll wait for the trade” flu has been very contagious and very successful. Will a synergy be achieved between the printed and digital mediums? Yes. But I ask why does it have to? I believe the new evolution of comic book storytelling can only be achieved by the changing of the format. What can a writer do when he is no longer limited to the one layer of the printed page? What endless possibilities can an artist create when he can change a background or facial expression inside the same panel or frame? We are talking about further manipulation of time and space within a comic book. It’s new, dynamic and evolving. Comics: An Evolution Ethan Peacock - I have not had the pleasure of reading comics on an iPhone yet but I have played with an iPad. I must say it was very impressive. “Sexy” is the term I used to describe it to friends. However, I am a larger fan of the digital comics that use flash as a tool to enhance the storytelling experience.
Right now the way digital comics are being translated is like how some movies are being taken from 2-D and turned into 3-D films. The pan and scan method is not utilizing what the new format can offer because they were originally designed for the printed medium.
However, independent creators are starting to develop comics for the sole purpose of it existing as a digital medium. The trick will be how they can successfully market and sell their creations as a digital format and avoid the piracy issues that all comics are faced with. Right now there are only a handful of players in the game. Much to Apple’s dismay, not everyone will own an iPad. So we will have to see what happens over the next couple of years.
Z2H – This might be a depressing question, but is there a place for the brick and mortar comic shop in the next ten years? Ethan Peacock – The future of brick and mortar comic book stores is going to be a challenging one. I would say that the ones who will survive are going to be the one stop shop “Geek-Marts” who have everything a geek could want. Comics will be a small but an important part of these new breed of stores. I see a swell in the industry happening and a wave that is getting dangerously close to crashing against the rocks. Z2H – What are your thoughts on the current distribution model? Ethan Peacock – It has to change if stores are to survive. There are talks going on right now about early distribution to brick and mortar stores (on Tuesdays) so that retailers are better prepared to deal with new comic book day (Wednesdays). Although many feel this is a start in the right direction, I don’t think in the end it is going to make a lick of difference. As an industry, comic, games and hobby shops have a percentage of shops that never follow the rules and are willing to do anything to make a buck. Any retailer who wishes to abide by the rules will simply loose sales.
Loyalty aside, why would the average customer buy from you when they can get it a day earlier a few blocks away? All that will happen is ‘New Comic Book Day’ will change from Wednesday to Tuesday and retailers will still be stuck in the same situation they are now. In my opinion, the main threat to our industry is not the delivery date but rather the rising price of comic books in an economy that is struggling and the lack of consistency in the release dates. Making anyone wait three or four months for the next issue kills the momentum of sales for a series and it frustrates the customer. Making a person pay $3.99 and up for a comic book that has less than 50 pages of story will make a customer feel ripped off. Heck, I was a retailer and I felt ripped off. I believe that this is the real threat to the future of comic book brick-and-mortar retail stores.
Wrap-up: Final Thoughts
Z2H – What do you love about the medium? What is it that draws you to it? Ethan Peacock – The writing… The art… There is nothing more raw than comics. It could be a huge collaborative effort or it could be a single vision from a creator. It is a medium that opens my imagination and allows me to escape. It can take me to fantastic worlds and realities or it can give me a unique perspective on simple everyday life. It is cheap to produce and fun to enjoy. It is entrenched as part of my earliest memories of when someone dropped a pile of comics in my lap. Even though I could not read yet, I could follow the pictures with ease.
I believe there is something in all of us that understands how to read a comic book on a primal level. Some say my attraction to comics is me clinging to my childhood. As an artist, I believe I am constantly trying to reclaim my candid openness on a creative level. To a child the world is full of possibilities and rules are made to be broken. So with childlike abandon, I love comics.
Z2H – Thanks for speaking with us Ethan, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Go to the source: http://zeros2heroes.com/exclusive/interview-with-ethan-peacock
2010 FCBD RAFFLE WINNERS ANNOUNCEDWednesday, 12. May 2010 by Elfsar
Congratulations to the winners of the FCBD Vancouver Food Bank raffle! Thank you for all your help to make our community stronger. ARTWORK FROM ARTIST CAMILLA D’ERRICO
CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS: STAR WARS POWER FX DARTH VADER LIGHTSABER CONGRATS TO THE WINNER: T2 T-800 ENDOSKELETON DIE CAST FIGURE SILVER VERSION CONGRATS TO THE WINNER: IRON MAN MOVIE DISPLAY STANDEE & IRON MAN 2 OFFICIAL DOUBLE-SIDED MOVIE POSTER
CONGRATS TO THE WINNER: Next update… The FREE COMIC BOOK DAY COSPLAY PICS! ONLY 14 DAYS LEFT (NOW ENJOY AN EVEN BIGGER SALE)Monday, 10. May 2010 by Elfsar
*************************************************** Plus our Manga and Manga art books are marked already at 50% off. Now on top of the 50% off price you can enjoy a buy 1 get 1 free sale as well! On top of all that we now have a 30% to 90% off deal on all other non-reading material. This includes T-shirts, Posters, Toys, statues, novelties ..etc *************************************************** *Note: To be fair to everyone, you may not select more than 1 copy per comic of the same cover. In other words you can not grab all 50 copies of Wolverine #1 to fill a box. However, you can buy as many times as you like (if your goal is to get more of the same comic with the same cover). Comics placed in boxes must be stacked vertically and the cashier must be able to insert one hand in on both ends to qualify. Boxes must be able to close with a lid. *************************************************** STORE CLOSED TODAY AT 5pm FOR IRON MAN 2 EVENT!Wednesday, 05. May 2010 by Elfsar
This is for everyone to be informed that Elfsar will close early today (Wednesday May 5th) at 5pm as we are hosting the pre-screening of IRON MAN 2 at the Scotiabank Theatre. We will re-open at 10:30 on Thursday May 6th and we will still be offering our FCBD sale! The biggest sale we have ever had in our 7 year history is on!
SAVE 20 to 80% OFF - Toys, Statues, Models, Novelties, T-Shirts & Posters! SAVE up to 50% OFF - Graphic Novels, Art Books, Comic Sets & Magazines A BACK ISSUE CLEARANCE SALE THAT GEEKS DREAM ABOUT SAVE 55% OFF - on any single comic. *Note: To be fair to everyone, you may not select more than 1 copy per comic of the same cover. In other words you can not grab all 50 copies of Wolverine #1 to fill a box. However, you can buy as many times as you like (if your goal is to get more of the same comic with the same cover). Comics placed in boxes must be stacked vertically and the cashier must be able to insert one finger in on both ends to qualify. Boxes must be able to close with a lid. FCBD 2010 UPDATE!Tuesday, 04. May 2010 by Elfsar
Elfsar Comics gave away over 20,000 comics on May 1st (Free Comic Book Day) A total of 12 full boxes of food and a total of $1,711.54 was raised for the Vancouver Food Bank! We had a head count of approx 2,000 people! FCBD 2010 was an overwhelming success. I do want to thank everyone who puts a great effort into FCBD, from the Elfsar staff to all the volunteers and costumed guests to the many artists, writers and publishers who made this day happen. We retailers are in the frontlines of this industry. Sadly this was the last FCBD for Elfsar, but it was a no-less a special one. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the FCBD festivities by sending us your photos and/or videos that you took on May 1st to elfsar@shaw.ca We will be posting the many pictures on our website soon along with the ones that I get them from the talented photographers Congratulations to HENRY WONG who won the Create you own Superhero Contest! He and a guest of his choosing will see IRON MAN 2 on MAY 5th! The other raffles winners will be announced soon… ELFSAR NOMINATATED FOR THE HARRY KREMER AWARD!Thursday, 29. April 2010 by Elfsar
I just got a call from the Shuster Awards yesterday. My heart sank as they told me that Elfsar again has been nominated for a Shuster Award for Most Outstanding Comic Book Retailer of the year. (Elfsar is now the current record holder for the most times nominated) The Harry Kremer Award for Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Retailer /Le Prix Harry Kremer pour Détaillant Exceptionnel Canadien de Bandes Dessinées But there is the problem that we will no longer be an active retialer when the awards ceremony is held June 5th. (We miss it by 5 days as we have to be out of this location by May 31st). Does this discredit the past years worth of work and community building that we have done over the past year? I cetainly hope not. I can think of no bigger honor than for Elfsar to get the Harry Kremer Award. I travelled to Toronto for the event last year and after not getting the award, I was determined and motivated to turn it up and work my ass off. But I sense that this year I will be disqualified due to the unfortunate circumstances. Nothing has been said yet, but I am sure the powers that be are discussing it. Nothing I can do about now but throw the biggest and best FCBD of all time! ELFSAR IS CLOSING AS A RETAIL STORETuesday, 27. April 2010 by Elfsar
Many of you are probably wondering why there has not been a monthly reminder to read Elfbytes or that your orders are now due. Well the truth is Elfsar has been involved in some lengthy negotiations over the past few weeks with our landlord and unfortunately it has not worked out like we had planned. Upon the renewal of our lease our landlord has demanded more than two and a half times what we were currently paying to be in Yaletown (which was not chump change to begin with). We half suspect that the Shoppers drug mart above and next to us is after all (or at least half) of our space for added storage and is willing to pay a premium to take it. The numbers simply no longer add up and Elfsar as a retail store would cease to become a viable business. Even if I were to let go of all staff and get rid of all saver file discounts and free bags and boards we would still be required to double the amount of sales and I truly do not think that is possible in an industry which its own future is in question. Faced with either moving the business/starting over or cutting my losses/shutting it down, I have had to make the very hard decision to close Elfsar as a retail store. We will be shutting the doors down on Sunday May 23rd – the day before Victoria day. Saver files should get in contact with me regarding any issues they have left to commit to. An email or printed copy will be made available so that you can transfer your file to another store with the least amount of difficultly. I deeply apologize for the short notice as I was hoping to finally work out a deal with our landlord so that we could continue to bring you the very best in comics and service. The three most convenient stores that offer a subscription program are as follows: GOLDENAGE – The closest store (location wise) to us. They offer saver files. No discounts. No charges. Go one month without a pickup and they sell your books to other customers. THE COMIC SHOP – The closest store (operation wise) to us. A security deposit of $25 is needed to set up a file. They track your sales for 3 months. If you spend $100 per month you then qualify to get 10% off, $200 per month you get 20% off…etc. As long as you keep spending you qualify to get the discount. RX COMICS – The closest store (service wise) to us. No security deposit or membership fees. Saver files save 5% off the U.S. cover price. All mail order files will be contacted via email with the remaining comics and toys left to come in and those who have CGC orders still remaining will be contacted once your order has been completed. All shipments will be forwarded to a new office in North Vancouver which will be the head office for www.elfsar.com . For those of you who will be on vacation at the time, we will mail your deposits back along with any outstanding items that had come in while you were away to the address you have provided us. Other deposits from other customers will be returned in store upon the final visit. Many of you that know me understand that I have been closely watching what has been happening in the comic book world (not just as a fan, but as a retail business owner). The fact is the “modern age” of comics is changing at a rapid pace. With one million in sales through mobile formats such as the iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Kindle, and PSP formats in 2009, I believe that in the next 5 to 10 years we will see the most significant changes to the comic industry as a whole. Heck the biggest threat, known as the iPad has not even hit Canada yet and we have already seen the ripple effect in our business. Yes, they are not offering any new comics for the time being but as costs and availability change over the next few years the comic book retail world is becoming a scarier place to be. A new age is starting to emerge, let’s call it the “Digital age” of comics. Even though torrents have existed for years now (with minimal effort one can get any new comic instantly) I applaud those who are trying to make digital comics a sellable format. I like paper comics, don’t get me wrong, but the new digital formats for comics is exciting. What can be achieved in storytelling by changing elements within the same panel is new and ready to be played with (here is a fine example of what I am talking about: http://balak01.deviantart.com/art/about-DIGITAL-COMICS-111966969 or check out http://balak01.deviantart.com/art/ABOUt-about-DIGITAL-COMICS-112523191 ) Is this the end of Elfsar? Not entirely. We are restructuring and will be switching to a more e-tail based business. www.elfsar.com will be changing over the next year to a site that is focusing more on the art of comics, fine art and other digital formats. ******************************** However, Elfsar is not done yet….
Now with Free Comic Book day approaching this Saturday (our last FCBD) We plan on pulling all the stops as we offer the biggest sale we have ever had in our 7 year history! As a big thank you to all our comic saver files, we invite you to come in a day earlier on April 30th to beat the rush to get first dibs on our special deals. *note you are still encouraged to come to the event on Saturday to meet the creators, get the free comics, participate in raffles and get your photo taken with members of the Xavier institute for gifted youngsters. We also have a few surprises on May 1st… that I am being tight lipped about. Our special sale is as follows: SAVE 20 to 80% OFF - Toys, Statues, Models, Novelties, T-Shirts & Posters! SAVE up to 50% OFF - Graphic Novels, Art Books, Comic Sets & Magazines A BACK ISSUE CLEARANCE SALE THAT GEEKS DREAM ABOUT SAVE 55% OFF - on any single comic. *Note: To be fair to everyone, you may not select more than 1 copy per comic of the same cover. In other words you can not grab all 50 copies of Wolverine #1 to fill a box. However, you can buy as many times as you like (if your goal is to get more of the same comic with the same cover). Comics placed in boxes must be stacked vertically and the cashier must be able to insert one finger in on both ends to qualify. Boxes must be able to close with a lid. For more information about Free Comic book Day check our website: http://www.elfsar.com/FCBD/2010/Event.htm ******************************** My thanks to everyone for making my job a joy to come to every day, -Ethan (A.K.A. The Big Elf) COMICS AND ITS DIGITAL FUTUREFriday, 26. March 2010 by Elfsar
Check out an article in the Georgia Straight today about the future of Comics: http://straight.com/article-299459/vancouver/comic-publishers-sketchy-digital-future
THE ELFSAR NEWSWednesday, 24. March 2010 by Elfsar
************************************************* ORDERS ARE NOW DUE! ************************************************* Your comic book order is due today so if you have not already done so, this is a reminder that today is the last day to get your orders in for stuff beginning to ship in May. Check out our Elfbytes for our take on what is coming out. http://www.elfsar.com/Elfbytes%20Articles/Elfbytes.htm ************************************************* BACK ISSUE 55% OFF SALE!!! ************************************************* Save more than half price on our back issues! This sale includes our rare/ variant and incentive covers!!! We are adding to them every day. Make plans to check out all the new comics in our back issue bins the next time you visit the store. ************************************************* BUT 2 GET 1 MORE FREE! EVERYDAY!!! ************************************************* Our Deal that everyone loves for Graphic Novels has now become a permanent feature at our store. When ever you buy any combination of 2 Graphic Novels, Softcovers, Hardcovers, Art Books, Comic Sets or Magazines off our floor stock at Elfsar, you get an additional 1 of your choice (for equal or lesser value) FREE! All day, everyday. Basically, select 3 items and the cheapest one is on us. How is that for an awesome deal? You get to pick exactly what you want and design your own sale! Plus we have a 20% off deal on all other non-reading material unless otherwise marked. This includes T-shirts, Posters, Toys, statues, novelties ..etc… Some deals are even at a 50% discount! ************************************************* MANGA AND HOW TO DRAW MANGA 50% OFF SALE!!! ************************************************* For a limited time, we are offering a 50% sale on our stock of Manga products! Take advantage of these huge savings! ************************************************* FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IS MAY 1st 2010 AT ELFSAR!!! ************************************************* Stay tuned for news about the biggest day of the year as Elfsar plans on making FREE COMIC BOOK DAY bigger than ever! http://www.elfsar.com/FCBD/2010/Event.htm ************************************************* SEPTEMBER IS COMIC CON MONTH! ************************************************* Ah… who needs the San Diego Comic Con. Pffftt! In case you didn’t already know September is convention month in the Pacific North West. There are lots of great conventions happening near you, and I think it’s a really exciting time to be involved in the Vancouver Comics scene. Mark you Calendars for the following: September 12th is another Vancouver Comic Con, just in case you missed it this month. Sept 25th is the Jet City Comic Con in Seattle which is from the same great folks that brought us the always awesome Emerald City Comic Con. Sept 26th is Word Under the Street which is follows the Jet City Comic Con. ************************************************* IDW BECOMES A PREMIER PUBLISHER IN PREVIEWS ************************************************* Not since 1996 has an independent publisher achieved a higher status with Diamond. IDW will now have premier status within Diamond and Diamond’s PREVIEWS, including an exclusive section at the front of the monthly catalog. ************************************************* PagesCategories
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